Commentary: Keeping The Road Home open is not the solution

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Road Home, a shelter in Salt Lake City, Tuesday May 15, 2018.I agree with Bill Tibbits (June 25). We should provide shelter options for all who experience homelessness and are trying to exit the streets or seeking help. However, he is wrong to suggest The Road Home’s downtown shelter should stay open after next year to accomplish this.

Read any recent news story about homeless camps or people sleeping in public spaces. Chaos, unsanitary conditions, drugs and danger of the downtown shelter are the most common reasons they give for sleeping outside.

And neither is an infinite number of shelter beds the solution to addressing homelessness. It is merely…